Celebrate National Farmers Market Week

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proclaimed the first week of August as "National Farmers Market Week." According to the USDA, farmers markets:

Provide a critical outlet for farmers to directly meet consumer demand for local, fresh, affordable and healthy food. Increasingly, farmers markets are opening in "food deserts" and accepting supplemental food assistance e-coupons — a win for farmers and all consumers.

Play a role in sustaining family farms. Farmers selling at farmers markets obtain better prices for their products compared to mass distribution channels — while maintaining affordability for consumers. Farmers markets also keep money local. Keeping food local cuts down on "food miles" and fuel needed for shipping. Ever notice that many farmers don't package their foods? If you bring your own tote bag, you're participating in sustainability efforts too.

Serve as a hub in the development of local and regional food systems. Heard of farm to table? Increasingly, local farmers are linking up with local restaurants, schools and health care facilities.

I'm going to celebrate National Farmers Market Week and will:

Thank my local farmers. I may share the link to this blog. If you add your thanks in the comments, they'll see your appreciation too.

Recognize them for educating me, my children and grandkids about where food comes from. Whenever we can, we make a family outing to the farmers market. I've learned from my grandkids' questions. They look and ask the vendors, "What's that?" and "How does it taste?" I ask, "How do I cook it?" When the grandkids ask for a food, we get it and we all eat it (without fuss).

Marvel at the role farmers markets play in our communities. They get us out, get us together and connect us to the earth — improving our health in many ways.

17 Comments Posted

We have one of the Best Farmer's Markets here in Penticton, BC
I do grow a few Veggies and Herbs in my own garden...but always appreciate what I can find at our weekly (Sat.) market. Do wish it was more often. Fresh produce from someones home garden can't be beat! And the home Baking is wonderful

R. Uhrich

May 21, 2015 11:35 a.m.

What's so healthy about whole grain bread?? A massive amount of refined carbs and a bit of fibre. Not really all that healthful.

KDM

February 17, 2015 10:27 a.m.

I learn that it is better and health to by from a farmers market . some farmers mitt let you go to there farm to pick the food you want . you can also get meat at a farmers market.

darron

February 2, 2015 12:38 p.m.

shopping at a farmers market could be a good idea because you could find healthy food and it could be cheaper

bradley kinard

October 7, 2014 8:36 a.m.

My wife and I are regulars at the farmers markets in Greensboro, NC. We love that we are able to eat "local" foods in part since produce is more nutritious the closer you can get it to when it has been picked.

mark www.simplyenof.com

July 19, 2014 11:05 a.m.

We eat lots of salads and vegetables at our house. My mother believes in eating healty so she has always made us eat vegetables. My mother always says that she want her own garden. My dad tried to start her one last year, but everything burned up because it was so hot. She also sometimes goes to the farmer's market to get food. Across the street from her job, farmers sell fruits and vegetables in the summer time. She buys from them too.

Matheu Woodall

July 11, 2014 7:14 a.m.

we have a nearby farm here in central NJ no pesticides used, a good variety of produce and cheap. what pure joy to cook healthy, lowfat dishes. it has inspired me as has this article.

catherine anne valencia

June 19, 2014 6:48 p.m.

I am very fortunate that I have a large yard and am able to grow produce AND enjoy the process and results. I do try our local farmer's market each year and am so turned off by the high prices...

grannie55

July 18, 2013 6:53 a.m.

Visiting the Farmer's Market is always rewarding. Fresh produce and homemade breads and baking is a treat. It's good to know that vegetables were most likely picked in the last 24 hrs. and not on a transport truck for three days or more to get to a supermarket and still try to look good and maybe have some taste left in them. Nothing compares to &quot;Fresh&quot; .

Katie

July 18, 2013 6:11 a.m.

Until the Government regulates Produce and Meat from
farms that contain Fracked Wells which contain dangerous chemicals that contaminate nearby fields where cattle graze and where the Farm's water, used to
irrigate the vegetable gardens, contains highly toxic
chemicals,( many of which we will not be able to know due to the Halliburton Loophole), I will not buy at
Farmers' Markets... Methane, Toluene,Ethylene Glycol,
Radioactive elements, etc.etc.,etc. does not appeal
to me. That farmer's Fracked Oil Well can be making
the food you eat dangerous to your health. What's on
your table tonight?

Lucille

July 17, 2013 3:24 p.m.

I wondered how they got their high prices! I too feel they are too high unless they are organic which leads to my next comment:
At our Farmers' Market in Pueblo, CO, there are no organic vegies. This defeats the &quot;healthy,&quot; doesn't it? I've been told there are some pretty heavy-handed pesticide sprayers, not just in Pueblo, but all over.

Maya

July 17, 2013 2:23 p.m.

The Farmer's Market that we have here in Grand Junction, CO is a complete rip-off. Because produce is locally grown, the prices are very unreasonable. But their are people who have money to burn that will keep the prices out of reach for those who are poor.

William

July 17, 2013 11:42 a.m.

We have a Farmer's Market which offers items for sale from the first Saturday in May to the last Saturday in October. I will buy some of the craft items; but, the last time I bought produce it was a couple of peaches and I didn't get to pick them out, they were way too ripe. Overall, the prices on the produce is pretty high considering that the farmers don't need to advertise. I asked one farmer how the prices are determined. He told me they get the prices from the local supermarkets, take an average, then round it up to the next whole dollar. When I had my own garden plot, I was able to grow organic produce for a fraction of the cost that I would have paid at the Farmer's Market. I am disabled and can no longer keep a garden. But, I do like fresh produce.

Donna

July 31, 2010 8:51 a.m.

it was wonderful. I would pick up a surprise box of produce every week, and cook with whatever was in it. When you have fresh and local, you can cook simply to show off the quality of the food. Nothing compares to it.
Healthy Living

daizy

June 2, 2010 5:30 p.m.

I started my own CSA last summer with my local farmenr, and it was wonderful. I would pick up a surprise box of produce every week, and cook with whatever was in it. When you have fresh and local, you can cook simply to show off the quality of the food. Nothing compares to it. Check out my blog about it and pick up some recipe ideas: http://accidental-locavore.blogspot.com/

Anne

June 2, 2010 8:20 a.m.

how can people NOT frequent farmers markets? all one has to do is taste any fresh veggie or fruit and realize there is a world of difference between &quot;fresh&quot; and &quot;store-bought cardboard&quot;! especially when a person is able to select items that are in season and local. yes, those items are typically a tad more expensive, but well worth every penny! and don't stop with just farmers markets --- be sure to check out other local businesses too --- like orchards, farms and even natural food stores. There are many treasures well worth the hunt!

Zorro

May 30, 2010 8:41 a.m.

According to Steven Hopp, co-author of &quot;Animal, Vegetable, Miracle&quot; and a professor of environmental studies, the benefit is FAR more than local: &quot;If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week composed of entirely locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country's oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week.&quot; Barrels! Not gallons. I like what he says next, too: &quot;Small changes in buying habits can make big differences.&quot;

Hornick J. Top reasons to shop at a farmers market. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://blogs.usda.gov/2012/07/02/top-reasons-to-shop-at-a-farmers-market/. Accessed July 17, 2015.

Farm to school. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school. Accessed July 17, 2015.

Changes in IRS requirements for hospitals may result in new support for farmers markets. Farmers Market Coalition. http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/changes-in-irs-requirements-for-hospitals-may-result-in-new-support-for-farmers-markets/. Accessed July 17, 2015.

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